Verity's POV

The white gown felt like chains.

It was beautiful in a way that made my chest hurt. Silk and lace that flowed like water with tiny crystals sewn into the bodice that caught the light with every breath I took. The seamstresses had worked for days to create something that looked like it was made from moonlight itself.

But all I could think about was how it made me look like a bride being led to her execution.

The doors to the grand ballroom stood before me and I could hear the ...